Sri Lanka attacks: St Anthony's 'church of miracles' a symbol of hope
St Anthony's Church, the site of one of the deadliest Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, is renowned as a place of worship open to all faiths, but the attacks have shut its doors for now.The road to the shrine in Colombo's Kochchikade district is a familiar one to many, who - regardless of their religion - would regularly come here to seek blessings.
Despite this, a sizeable crowd is still gathered outside, veering as close to the perimeter as they dare, most just staring at the large white building. From a distance it looks untouched, but look harder and hints of the carnage that took place inside become more visible. Among those gathered outside the church is Prabath Buddhika. Although Mr Buddhika is Buddhist by religion, like many others, he is a strong believer in the power of St Anthony.
"This church is for those who carry unbearable sadness - it gives them solace," she says with tears in her eyes."Who would do something like this? Why would they do this?"
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New wave of terror in Sri Lanka as van explodes outside churchThe chilling footage, which reportedly shows one of the attackers entering St Sebastian's Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka, shows a man wearing a large backpack walking into the building.
Read more »
Survivors describe 'very calm' Sri Lanka church bomberDilip Fernando said his family were at the St Sebastian's church when the bomb struck in Negombo, Sri Lanka, at around 7.30am on Easter Sunday and they saw the suspected attacker.
Read more »
Survivors describe 'very calm' Sri Lanka church bomberDilip Fernando said his family were at the St Sebastian's church when the bomb struck in Negombo, Sri Lanka, at around 7.30am on Easter Sunday and they saw the suspected attacker.
Read more »
Sri Lanka bombing: At least two Britons killed in Colombo terror explosions say policeFootage from Colombo's St. Anthony church in Sri Lanka shows shattered glass on the floor and people screaming after an explosion. There were several other explosions recorded in two other churches and three hotels.
Read more »
Cookstown Hotel limits activities after St Patrick's Day crush tragedyLauren Bullock, 17, Morgan Barnard, 17, and 16-year-old Connor Currie died last month
Read more »
Man held in New York after taking gasoline into St Patrick's CathedralNew Jersey man had two cans of gasoline, lighter fluid and butane lighters, says NYPD
Read more »
New Sri Lanka explosion near church targeted on Easter SundayA fresh explosion has been reported near St Anthony’s Shrine in Sri Lanka, one of the sites targeted on Sunday, in a series of attacks which killed nearly 300 people. Monday’s explosion occurred in a
Read more »
Man caught with petrol in NYC cathedralPolice arrest a man carrying petrol and lighters who entered St Patrick's Cathedral in New York.
Read more »
Man busted with gas cans & lighter at NYC Cathedral days after Notre DameA 37-YEAR-old man has been arrested after trying to walk into St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York with two full gas cans and a lighter. The arrest at around 8pm (local time) on Wednesday comes…
Read more »
Pope Francis on the floor praying in the Vatican Good Friday servicePope Francis lay prostrate on the floor in front of hundreds of worshippers at the Vatican as part of his service to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus.
Read more »
Pope Francis on the floor praying in the Vatican Good Friday servicePope Francis lay prostrate on the floor in front of hundreds of worshippers at the Vatican as part of his service to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus.
Read more »